Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Cl T T A\ W A\ ^*HE first 500 juveniles at the Elgin Theatre, Ottawa, Saturday afternoon, for “Zenobia” received a “royal visit” souvenir medal from Manager Lloyd Mills. The latter also secured the cooperation of the Journal in a missing word contest for the want ad section for 10 double passes each day during the run. the words forming the last line of a limerick dealing with the story of the picture. Manager Bob Maynard has been getting some official “pats” for the crowds he has been getting into the Cartier Theatre in the past several months, despite the offset effects on business generally around town because of war rumors. The Centre Theatre has been getting the exclusive use of the highway bus terminal in Ottawa for a special advertising display for current attractions, this having been secured by Manager D. B. Stapleton. Mrs. Kenneth Hendry, sister of Jack Nelson, veteran manager of the Capitol Theatre in North Bay, passed away at her home in Ottawa after a lengthy illness. A recent visitor in Ottawa was Sidney A. Moseley of London, England, author, scenarist, radio writer and film reviewer, who holds the distinction of being the first person in the United Kingdom to have appeared before the television transmitter for a broadcast program. On a tour of Canada he gave a talk over the CBC network on the subject of "Impressions of a Tenderfoot.” The busiest man of all in Ottawa for the royal tour preparations was F. C. Badgley, M. C„ director of the Canadian government motion picture bureau, who had been placed in charge of newscamera and press arrangements. When this writer called on him, Mr. Badgley was just hanging up the telephone receiver and remarked: “ That was the seventh long-distance call to me in the last half hour.” The latest stage stunt, “Dr. Query and His Brain Twisters,” for $50 in cash prizes, is going over big at the Capitol Theatre, as a weekly added attraction. The feature was suspended for the week of the King’s visit because of the rush but will be resumed this coming Thursday. P. J. Nolan, owner of the Rexy and Nola theatres, is working a cooperation campaign in conjunction with neighborhood merchants in which coupons are obtained from the stores to be exchanged for gifts at the theatres on designated nights. Several months have passed without a further announcement regarding a new theatre project in the east end of Ottawa, the promoter being a resident of another city. It is understood that the plan has been abandoned. Eight-Picture Pact Hollywood — An eight-picture deal with Monogram has been signed by Jack Randall for the 1939-40 season. Two will be specials based on James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Pioneers” and “The Prairie.” Authenticated "Bell" Passes in Ontario Toronto — The revised version of “The Life of Alexander Graham Bell” has been approved in the Province of Ontario, following the insertion of references to the historical fact that Brantford, Ont., was the home of the telephone inventor and that his experiments were conducted in the vicinity of that city. The picture was held in abeyance following the protests of the municipal council of Brantford and members of the provincial Parliament that credit was not given to the “Telephone City” for the creation of the telephone during the course of the film story. The production has been set for release on May 24, when it will be premiered in out-of-town locations before shown here. Council of Women Frown On "Club de Femmes" Winnipeg — Expressing disapproval of the film, “Club de Femmes,” the local Council of Women have asked the Manitoba censor to ban the film now playing the Osborne. According to newspaper reports the censors take the stand that the film was passed originally for private showing only and therefore deletions which they would have made for public showings were not made. The film had its first run at Helmer Jernberg’s Bijou where it played to excellent boxoffice for two weeks. After its engagement at the Osborne it is scheduled for showing at a number of other city houses. The censors’ statement is to the effect that the film will be allowed to play at those houses which have already booked it after which it will be withdrawn for reconsideration by the authorities. Imperial Daughters Tie With RKO for "Years" Toronto — A tiein has been made between RKO representatives and the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire for the forthcoming runs of Herbert Wilcox’s “Sixty Glorious Years.” The production has been screened for Edith B. Angas, national film convenor, who has written to all chapter heads across Canada asking that they cooperate with theatres during “Glorious” engagements. Echoes, official publication of the association, is carrying a review of the production along with several stills. Proper Sequence, Anyway Regina, Sask. — It was only to be expected what with the probing being done these days and the prying and such, averred the Rambling Reporter in the Regina Star, after observing the marquee of the Rex Theatre where a double bill was playing. The passersby saw: "Youth Takes a Fling;" "Exposed!" ^^TTH the impending visit of royalty to Canada of prime importance, Regina theatre men met for the purpose of discussing ways and means of carrying on business on May 25, the day royalty visits the capital city of the province. Despite much discussion, no definite decision could be reached, though, it was agreed, a suggestion would be made to the royal visiting committee that if they thought it would help to keep people off the streets and help many find a place to rest during the night, theatres would operate for 24 hours May 24-25. Even if people did not want to see the picture they might be able to find a place to sleep, it was felt. What to do when the royal procession goes by, whether to remain open or not on May 25, has not been decided. Estimates are that more than 100,000 people will come to the city to join Regina’s 56,000 that day. Dealing with modern housing, a motion picture from the Johns -Mansville Co. was featured at a meeting of Technocracy , Inc., in Regina . . . The Tivoli, Saskatoon, successfully brought back “There Goes My Heart” and “Topper Takes a Trip” in a double bill for three more days . . . Despite the fact that the films to be shown were of the slow-burning 16 mm type, the Moose Jay fire chief advised against showing motion pictures in Alexandra school until it is fitted with another fire esca/pe. Regina theatre operators protested without success to the city council against imposition of the $25 per machine license on automatic candy vending machines now in place. Theatre men stressed the machines were in lobbies only as a convenience to patrons not as competition to surrounding shops. J. A. McKenzie, owner -manager of the Orpheum, Estevan, is planning redecoration of his showhouse. The extent of the work necessarily will depend on the crop outlook. The Estevan situation is complicated by the fact that, in addition to the regular summer shutdown in the mines, two of the largest mines will not operate next winter, due to business changes. Peter George, cameraman for General Films, Regina, is going to Winnipeg to join a crew of the Dominion motion picture bureau to assist in camera-ing the visit of King George and Queen Elizabeth to western Canada . . . choice spots for newsreel outfits in prairie cities are already commanding as much as $10 each . . . High winds have whipped up dust storms again this dry spring to give farmers and people generally the jitters. So far damage is not extensive. Columbia Story Buy Hollywood — Columbia has acquired screen rights to “The Incredible Mr. Williams,” story by Cy Bartlett, who, with Richard Maibaum, is scripting for Producer Everett Riskin. Prepares "Miracles" Hollywood — Harry Ruskin is scripting “Miracles for Sale” for Metro. Tod Browning directs. 84 BOXOFFICE :: May 20, 1939